A neo-jazz band that forms its sound from the urban space it was conceived in. “Sophisticatedly Easy” in its look and sound, “The Fridge” has few counter parts and many have failed to imitate them. These musicians are young yet create mature music. Their unconventional approach to the iconic genre of jazz is both risky and refreshing. Pushing the envelope and fusing together jazz, African folk and soul sounds.
Genre
Neo – Jazz with influences from soul, rock and African folk.
The Musicians
Samkelo Ndolomba: The Unmistakably Silky Voice that was “Born to Sing”
Samthing Soweto (Samkelo) is the lead vocalist of the Fridge and hails from Soweto. “When I wake up, I sing and I think about the things I want to sing about.” . The name Samthing Soweto is inherently derived from his name Samkelo and “thing” happens to be the “thing” he does well, which is music. “Just as the birds chirp, I sing. Its second nature to me”
Samthing Soweto describes himself as a fan of music. He listens to anything from traditional Sotho Music to rhythm and blues. When asked who his favourite musicians were he answered and said “everyone who is dead”. He is fond of the late Miriam Makeba specifically when she was young. This is because her sound was raw and inspirational to listen too.
A triumphant artist that has emerged for the challenges of life encourages people to free their minds and refrain from being institutionalised.
Adebayo: Drums and Percussion
Adebayo “Ade” Omatade, the drummer of the Fridge, started playing the drums fourteen years ago and has never looked back ever since. Ade started playing with Mothusi (Bass guitarist of the Fridge) as a two man band, until they heard Samthing Soweto singing an acapella at a show. Ade who is primarily a photographer at heart, landed on South African soil when he won a photography competition. He was chosen as one of the top 40 photographers in Africa.
When all the lights are turned off and the instruments take a bow, Ade loves to describe himself as an easy to approach guy and who happens to be father to the “most wonderful twins ever!” “I am loads of fun and could be the only quiet one in the room” he says. Ade is guided daily by the simple philosophy of “do onto others what you want done to you”. He also highlights a salient issue about humans, he strongly urges people to live life as if it mattered.
Mothusi Thusi: Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar and Flute
“I learn fast and hear things that other people do not hear”. Mothusi gets his musical roots from both his parents who are artists in their own rights. Son of trombonist Mfaniseni Mthusi and singer Faith Kekane, music runs in his genes. He says that musical genes are not the only thing that requires one to become an excellent musician, “you gotta be good at it and also love it’ he articulates. Growing up, he listened to a lot of heavy metal bands and was rebellious but now his favourite bands include the likes of Bjork, Radio Heads and 340ml.
It all started when he saw a hobo play the guitar and asked him to please teach him how this instrument is played. He then harnessed his skills at the Campus of Performing arts where he studied music and finished off at Wits.
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To follow them:
| www.twitter.com/the2010fridge |
| www.reverbnation.com/the2010fridge |
More Info/To Book
Tshepo Gideon Tladi
gideon@storehousemusic.co.za
072 458 2941
A neo-jazz band that forms its sound from the urban space it was conceived in. “Sophisticatedly Easy” in its look and sound, “The Fridge” has few counter parts and many have failed to imitate them. These musicians are young yet create mature music. Their unconventional approach to the iconic genre of jazz is both risky and refreshing. Pushing the envelope and fusing together jazz, African folk and soul sounds.
Genre
Neo – Jazz with influences from soul, rock and African folk.
The Musicians
Samkelo Ndolomba: The Unmistakably Silky Voice that was “Born to Sing”
Samthing Soweto (Samkelo) is the lead vocalist of the Fridge and hails from Soweto. “When I wake up, I sing and I think about the things I want to sing about.” . The name Samthing Soweto is inherently derived from his name Samkelo and “thing” happens to
Profile: The Fridge 3
be the “thing” he does well, which is music. “Just as the birds chirp, I sing. Its second nature to me”
Samthing Soweto describes himself as a fan of music. He listens to anything from traditional Sotho Music to rhythm and blues. When asked who his favourite musicians were he answered and said “everyone who is dead”. He is fond of the late Miriam Makeba specifically when she was young. This is because her sound was raw and inspirational to listen too.
A triumphant artist that has emerged for the challenges of life encourages people to free their minds and refrain from being institutionalised.
Adebayo: Drums and Percussion
Adebayo “Ade” Omatade, the drummer of the Fridge, started playing the drums fourteen years ago and has never looked back ever since. Ade started playing with Mothusi (Bass guitarist of the Fridge) as a two man band, until they heard Samthing Soweto singing an acapella at a show. Ade who is primarily a photographer at heart, landed on South African soil when he won a photography competition. He was chosen as one of the top 40 photographers in Africa.
When all the lights are turned off and the instruments take a bow, Ade loves to describe himself as an easy to approach guy and who happens to be father to the “most wonderful twins ever!” “I am loads of fun and could be the only quiet one in the room” he says. Ade is guided daily by the simple philosophy of “do onto others what you want done to you”. He also highlights a salient issue about humans, he strongly urges people to live life as if it mattered.
Mothusi Thusi: Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar and Flute
“I learn fast and hear things that other people do not hear”. Mothusi gets his musical roots from both his parents who are artists in their own rights. Son of trombonist Mfaniseni Mthusi and singer Faith Kekane, music runs in his genes. He says that musical genes are not the only thing that requires one to become an excellent musician, “you gotta be good at it and also love it’ he articulates. Growing up, he listened to a lot
Profile: The Fridge 4
of heavy metal bands and was rebellious but now his favourite bands include the likes of Bjork, Radio Heads and 340ml.
It all started when he saw a hobo play the guitar and asked him to please teach him how this instrument is played. He then harnessed his skills at the Campus of Performing arts where he studied music and finished off at Wits.
